January 13, 2012, 21:35 UTC+3Three people died and 38 were taken to the hospital with injuries

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Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, January 13 (Itar-Tass) —— The Moscow Cheremushki District Court has sanctioned the arrest of Suren Mkrtchian, director of the Il Pittore restaurant where three people died in an explosion.

The court agreed with the opinion of detectives that Mkrtchian might try to escape punishment and put pressure on witnesses and victims, the majority of whom are restaurant employees. It also took notice of the fact that Mkrtchian was suspected of several crimes.

The lawyer said he would appeal the decision as illegal and unfounded.

A gas cylinder blasted in the restaurant in the afternoon of January 9 and a fire started. Three people died and 38 were taken to the hospital with injuries.